Colin Hartman can now add college to his list of failures. On the coast-to-coast trek home from California, Colin stops at a gas station in the Nevada desert, and can’t help noticing the guy in tight jeans looking like he just stepped off a catwalk. When he realizes Catwalk is stranded, Colin offers a ride.

Riley only intended to take a short ride in Colin’s Jeep to the Grand Canyon. But one detour leads to another until they finally find themselves tumbling into bed together. However there are shadows in Riley’s eyes that hide a troubled past. And when those shadows threaten to bury the man whom Colin has fallen in love with, he vows to get Riley the help he needs. For once in his life, quitting isn’t an option…

Review

The more I think about this book, the more I realize that I really really did enjoy this novel. Focus On Me is the second book in the In Focus Series. While it followed a similar formula to Trust The Focus, this novel was sexier and delved into much deeper issues.

Colin Hartman is a good southern boy who grew up in North Carolina. For three years he went to college in California where he played football. He wanted to be the college type but it turned college was not for him. He eventually he flunked out and decided to head back home and work for his family’s restaurant. While on his road trip to head home he’s meets Riley Sorenson, at a random stop at a gas station. Riley’s good looks and seemingly quiet personality, intrigue Colin. Riley is in desperate need of a ride and Colin decides to help him out.

Over the course of their road trip the two get to learn about one another. I loved Colin. He was open, friendly, and a nurturer but nature. He shares his feelings of failure but he always owned up to who he was. Riley was quiet, reserved, but very friendly and sweet. He doesn’t share too many details about his personal life and you could tell there was something that was troubling him. Colin doesn’t push him but he does want to know more about Riley. The story is strictly told from Colin’s POV and you see and hear his attraction for Riley. You also get the sense that Riley feels the same way but there is something that keeps him from perusing his feelings.

Eventually their feelings for one another can’t really be ignored and even though Riley clearly wants Colin, he keeps pushing him away. It frustrates Colin, hell it frustrated me as well. Things come to a head and Riley eventually acts on his feelings. The physical and emotional connection they had just perfect. Megan Erickson surprised me with just how sexy the were together. I enjoyed watching their relationship but it wasn’t simple.

Their friendship and physical relationship seemed perfect but Riley issues that went far deeper than I anticipated. It made me nervous and scared about what he was holding. Colin wanted to help but he didn’t know how to. Colin always thought of himself as a quitter but he does want to bail on Riley. Things eventually spiral and he has to make the decision to either stay or get Riley the help he needs…..even if it means letting him go.

Ms. Erickson wrote this story in a very detailed and easy way. I really liked the fact the story didn’t just gloss over Riley’s issues. She didn’t preach about it, but she reflected on it in an honest and thought out way. I loved the change and growth that Colin and Riley went through. The story still had the same likable characters and sweet romance that I loved in the previous novel but there was much more depth to this story. I liked the fact that Landry and Jason made a guest appearance in this book. Colin and Riley’s story was easy to enjoy and I’m excited to see who’s story is next in this series.

Other Books In The In Focus Series

About Megan Erickson

Megan Erickson grew up in a family that averages 5’5” on a good day and started writing to create characters who could reach the top kitchen shelf.

She’s got a couple of tattoos, has a thing for gladiators and has been called a crazy cat lady. After working as a journalist for years, she decided she liked creating her own endings better and switched back to fiction.

She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids and two cats. And no, she still can’t reach the stupid top shelf.